CONTACT A VA LOAN SPECIALIST:808-792-4251

Get Started

Yearly Archives: 2010

Erin Delgado
By Erin Delgado 24th December 2014 0 Comments

2015 BAH Rates: Hawaii Service Members to See Increases

It’s that time of year again! The new 2015 BAH rates have been released by the Department of Defense. On average, United States service members will see an increase of $17 per month (or 0.5%).

Here in Hawaii, however, the majority of our active duty military community will see a 3% to 12% increase across pay grades.

2015bahrates

For example, an E-5 with dependents who is renting or owning a home in Honolulu County received $2,709 per month in BAH in 2014. In 2015, his BAH will be increased to $2,994. An O-3 residing in Honolulu County with dependents will see their BAH rise $168 from $3,600 per month to $3,768 per month. Furthermore, the ranks of E-1 to E-4 with dependents will have their rates increased from $2,607 per month in 2014 to $2,982 per month in the new year.

2015 BAH increases in Hawaii are also reflected in the rates for service members without dependents. For instance, an E-6 without dependents who is renting or owning in Honolulu County will see a $339 per month increase. An O-2 without dependents will see a $105 per month increase in the same county.

The DoD news release describes the factors which determine yearly BAH rates:

“Rates are calculated using median current market rent and average utilities (including electricity, heat, and water/sewer) for each pay grade, both with and without dependents. Two changes were made to BAH rate computations for 2015: renter’s insurance, which contributed an average of one percent to rates, was eliminated, and the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act reduced housing rates on average one percent for service members.”

Now that you know about some of the BAH increases in Hawaii, find your pay grade below and take a look at your purchasing power in 2015 with a VA loan.

BAH-3yr-2015

To see the full listing of 2015 Base Allowance for Housing rates, click on the following links:

2015 BAH Rates – Without Dependents
2015 BAH Rates – With Dependents

For information on your VA loan benefits and how your BAH rate can help you buy a home in Hawaii, contact us or fill out our online application. We look forward to talking with you!

Erin Delgado
By Erin Delgado 16th December 2014 0 Comments

The 2015 VA Loan Limits for Hawaii

Drumroll, please.

The 2015 VA Loan Limits have been announced to reveal no change from the 2014 VA Loan Limits in the state of Hawaii.

2015loanlimits (800x533)

According to VA Circular 26-14-39 issued on December 9, 2014 by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the new VA’s maximum guaranty amounts are established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for Freddie Mac. Therefore, the 2015 VA Loan Limits will remain as follows:

Honolulu County = $721,050

Kauai = $713,000

Maui, Lanai, Molokai = $657,800

Hawaii Island = $625,500

As you embark on your house hunt here in Hawaii, you will likely visit properties that are listed above these limits. Don’t necessarily count them out. Your realtor may advise you that negotiation of the sale price is possible. Also, consider the VA Jumbo Loan as a financing route for buying a home at a higher price than the county loan limits.

Our Hawaii VA Loans team enjoys helping our service members and veterans purchase the homes that they love. For more information regarding your VA loan benefits, contact us or fill out our online application.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Erin Delgado
By Erin Delgado 4th December 2014 0 Comments

E Komo Mai: Brandi Brickler

We have a new team member on the Hawaii VA Loans block! Say hello to Brandi Brickler, VA Loans Specialist.

Brandi (800x533)

As we welcome Brandi into the Hawaii VA Loans family, we’d like to share a bit of her impressive background with you. It’s important that your experience with our company feels like more than a transaction. We value the relationships we create with our clients, and that’s why we enjoy giving you insight into the people who make up our team. In Brandi’s case, she’s one of you – a veteran and a military spouse. She’s also a mother, a paddler, and a lover of the state of Hawaii.

Q&A with Brandi Brickler

Where are you originally from?

I’m originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. South Louisiana was home until I joined the Navy when I was 20 years old. That also happens to mark my first time on a airplane!

Tell us about your family.

My husband is originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania and has been in the Navy for 21 years. We met when we were both stationed at NAS Pensacola, Florida. We have two daughters who attend Damien Memorial School and they both play volleyball for Lokahi Volleyball. We’ve been stationed in Hawaii since 2008, so this is “home” for my children.

IMG_1409 (638x640)

What is your military background and your path toward joining the Hawaii VA Loans team?

I have been in the military or a spouse of a military member for 18 years. I have moved eight times, survived deployments, and attended three different colleges. What benefits my work with Hawaii VA Loans is that I understand the community we serve, because I am a member of the community we serve. I’ve also volunteered as a budget counselor for active duty military with Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.

What excites you most about being part of the Hawaii VA Loans team?

I love the philosophy here at HVL of providing value to the community.
If what we are doing doesn’t add value, we don’t do it. As a consumer, I dislike pushy marketing tactics that target the military, so I would never be a part of a company that operated in that manner. At HVL, we provide VA Homebuyer Seminars for veterans/service members, VA guideline training for realtors, and the Hawaii VA Foundation raises money for local charities. This is a company whose values and morals align with my own, and I’m happy to be a part of it!

What do you enjoy most about living the Hawaii life?

Since 2011, my husband and I have become a part of the islands paddling family, which is a pretty extensive group of people. We’ve traveled to almost every island competing in races, participated in the building of a koa wood canoe, and escorted the Hokulea to the beginning of its worldwide voyage. The camaraderie among the paddling community has been a wonderful experience for our family. We have truly gained an island family through paddling.

IMG_1411 (800x605)

What’s something you may not have expected to enjoy so much about island living, yet you do?

One of my favorite places in Hawaii is Volcanoes National Park and the Mauna Kea Observatory in the winter time. I love the brisk cool air in the morning at the park and the nearly freezing temperatures at the top of Mauna Kea at night. I love that you can wear a coat and within a 30 minute drive you can be at the beach swimming in perfectly temperate water.

Do you have one piece of advice for military families who have just arrived to the island?

Hawaii can be a hard transition for military families who are used to being within travel distance of extended family. Yet, forget about the things you “can’t do,” and take advantage of the many things you “can.” Take advantage of your surroundings, visit the outer islands, hike to the top of a mountain and most of all, take some time to understand the culture and learn about this amazing place we have the opportunity to call home.

Mahalo, Brandi, for sharing that great advice and details of her life with us!

For more information on the VA loan process, contact Brandi at (808) 388-1550. To see how you prequalify for a VA loan, fill out our online application.

Erin Delgado
By Erin Delgado 3rd December 2014 0 Comments

A Happy Hawaiian Christmas with Ben & Maila

It’s that special time of year! Tinsel, mistletoe, and sand! Sand?! Yes, that’s right, celebrating Christmas in Hawaii may be a tad different than a mainland holiday experience in colder climates. Here in the Hawaiian islands, we embrace warmer weather, making sand-snowmen instead of snowmen, and we indulge in shave ice a bit more than hot chocolate. Yet, we can still hunt for the perfect Christmas tree, decorate our Hawaii homes, bake sweet treats, and of course, enjoy the music of the season!

sandmen (800x534)

You may be asking yourself, “What’s the perfect way to get in the festive spirit of a Hawaii Christmas?” Well, if we have anything to say about it, it’s with live music, of course! That’s why we are excited to announce the first headlining concert of our ultra-talented Realtor Relations Director and award-winning singer/songwriter, Maila Gibson, and her musical partner, Ben Vegas:

A Happy Hawaiian Christmas with Ben & Maila

happyhawaiianchristmas_web (618x800)

Ben & Maila have been entertaining audiences with their music for over ten years together. On Sunday, December 21st, at the Ala Moana Hotel, bring along your friends and loved ones to see them live in concert with special guests Kuana Torres Kahele, Keali’i Reichel, Ho’okena, and Kanoe Gibson.

At Hawaii VA Loans, we only share the best, most important information on VA loans and life in Hawaii. That means you can trust us when we say that you’ll have a beautiful evening with the sounds of Ben & Maila, and a Hawaiian Christmas experience that you will never forget. Be sure to save the flyer above for ticket prices and details. Mele Kalikimaka!

Jim Owens
By Jim Owens 18th November 2014 0 Comments

VA Department Guidelines for Non-Permitted Additions

UPDATED 8.3.17: As of July 10, 2017, appraisals with permit issues (as long as they meet the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements) will be issued “As is.” This means that the lack of an existing permit for an addition or improvement will not prevent a home from obtaining VA financing, and it will no longer be necessary to obtain a VA waiver for homes that were not properly permitted. However, the appraiser will not give value to the non-permitted area. Read more HERE.

Therefore, the information in the post below does not reflect the new guidelines for non-permitted additions. Instead, go here: https://hawaiivaloans.com/new-non-permitted/.

______________________________________________________________

Recently, the VA issued an announcement clarifying their rules and expectations for loans on properties with “non-permitted” additions or improvements. At Hawaii VA Loans, we believe in bringing you breaking news and current headlines about the VA home loan process. This includes delivering information on certain hurdles we may need to jump over together in order to close your loan and get you moved into your new Hawaii home! So let’s take a look at what the VA has to say about all things non-permitted.

?????

What are “non-permitted improvements”?

In short, any construction, demolition or alteration of a structure, building or fence requires a permit. Painting cabinets, flooring, repairs valued at less than $1,000, and fences under 30 inches in height do not need a permit. Everything else requires a permit. If a permit is not obtained, the work is considered a “non-permitted improvement”.

  • For more information about when a permit is required, the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) has created a handy handout: click here.
  • Honolulu’s DPP also offers a nifty online tool called “Permit Pal” to help you determine if a permit is required: click here.

What was included in the VA’s recent announcement?

Essentially, the announcement was a reiteration of previously published rules regarding exceptions to the permitting requirements. However, it did reinforce the local VA office’s commitment to flexibility:

  • The VA will grant exceptions to permitting guidelines and issue a guarantee for loans on properties with certain types of non-permitted improvements. The VA buyer and lender must indicate that they have knowledge of the situation and hold the VA harmless for any effects of the “non-permitting.”
  • The VA will not issue guarantees for loans where the non-permitted improvements create a possible health, safety or soundness hazard unless proof is submitted to the VA for a determination that they do not present a health, safety or soundness issue. Specifically, in order to get exceptions from the VA for electric or plumbing work that was non-permitted, a licensed plumber/electrician will need to certify that the work was done to code.
  • Click here to read the VA’s official announcement release.

What are the steps to the exception process?

  • Identify the non-permitted improvements.
  • Determine if, in fact, a permit is required or an exception is allowed.
    • If a permit is required, the lender will work with the parties involved to determine if an exception can be obtained. This may involve pictures of the improvement(s) and the surrounding area.
    • The lender may make the determination or they may consult the VA to see if an exception can be issued.
    • If an exception is allowed, the lender will help prepare the “hold harmless” letter to be signed by the borrower.
    • If the exception is not allowed, there are two options:
      1. Obtain “retroactive” permits (permits obtained after the construction is complete).
      2. Remove the non-permitted structure in question.

Stay positive if you’re looking at home with a non-permitted improvement. Our knowledge and experience with these types of issues is extensive, and we can help you find the right solution to pursue.

The first step in buying a home with no down payment is to get prequalified. It’s quick and easy. To get prequalified for a VA home loan, fill out this online application or contact us with any questions you may have.

Jim Owens
By Jim Owens 12th November 2014 0 Comments

How We Tackle Uncommon Challenges & Close Loans

Every once in a while, a loan comes along that is an extreme challenge. Sometimes there are issues documenting income, employment history, and/or credit that often occur in the beginning stages during loan pre-qualification. However, during the loan process, there are cases when unpredictable property related challenges arise.

blogpost-tacklechallenges (800x600)

We recently dealt with a loan that had a multitude of issues surrounding it, yet we were able to successfully close. It took a team of individuals to make the outcome a winning one: that team included our Hawaii VA Loans Specialist, Dane Costa, who exhibited exceptional perseverance, our local VA office, the sellers, the unwavering VA buyers, and the cooperative agents involved.

Here’s a summary of the specific challenges the loan presented and how each one was resolved:

Low Appraised Value

  • After the appraised value came in below the purchase price, the buyer and seller decided to split the difference and settle on a new purchase price in between the appraised value and the original price.

Cesspool

  • The VA requires that homes are connected to public plumbing lines whenever possible. In this case, the home was not. We needed to prove that the waste disposal was safe and legal. VA Loan Specialist, Dane Costa, contacted the Department of Health (DOH) and helped coordinate an engineer to come out and inspect the cesspool. As a result of the inspection, the cesspool was approved by the DOH.

Legal Non-Conforming

  • If the appraisal indicates that a home is considered “legal non-conforming,” it means that the home was legal when originally built, but does not conform to current zoning laws. The lender and the VA want to make sure that the home can be rebuilt in approximately the same manner if it happens to be destroyed. Dane contacted Roxanne from the Honolulu VA Regional Loan Center who provided documentation from Land Ordinance Codes that were acceptable with no further documentation required. Mahalo, Roxanne!

Non-Permitted Additions

  • The VA requires that all “non-permitted” additions are addressed either by obtaining a permit exception or by obtaining a permit. The home had two areas that had been modified without a permit:
  1. An extension of the roof line creating a covered area was removed because it violated current zoning restrictions. The covered area teardown needed pictures and an invoice for work done from a licensed contractor.
  2. A deck was retroactively permitted.

Check out our post on overcoming non-permitted additions for further explanations of solutions.

Non-Permitted Electrical & Plumbing Work

  • Recent work to the electrical and plumbing systems were completed with an unlicensed contractor. Dane found a licensed plumber and a licensed electrician to inspect the work and issue statements that the work was completed in accordance with current building codes.

Private Road Maintenance Agreement

  • Whenever a property relies upon a private road for access, the VA (and every other lending entity) requires evidence that the road will be maintained in the coming years. There was no recorded document for this property and no agreement among the homeowners that use the road. Dane and the agents were able to track down a letter from the City and County stating that they will maintain the road.

There are many moving parts to coordinate and document in order to close a loan, so even having one of these issues can be a challenge in and of itself. In my 17 years in Hawaii’s mortgage industry, I don’t believe I’ve seen another loan with so many issues to tackle, and hopefully, you won’t either. However, if you do, be confident that the Hawaii VA Loans team is ready to handle them.

The first step in buying a home with no down payment is to get pre-qualified. It’s quick and easy. Fill out this online application or contact us with any questions you may have about using your VA home loan benefits.